Pyrometallurgy is an extractive metallurgy field that uses high-temperature techniques to extract and purify metals, alloys, or mattes from primary ores and/or secondary resources. Because operating temperatures frequently near 1500°C, pyrometallurgical processes are difficult(Pyrometallurgy, 2023).
Let’s explore some of its limits:
- Pyrometallurgy demands a lot of energy leading to significant operational costs and greenhouse gas emissions, as it often relies on burning fossil fuels.
- Pyrometallurgy generates toxic substances such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides etc.
- Smelting produces large quantities of slag, which needs to be managed and disposed of, potentially leading to land use issues and environmental concerns if not handled properly.
- It might be challenging to handle when Pyrometallurgy is combined with ore cracking and metal reduction.
- It can be challenging to selectively recover individual metals in high purity through pyrometallurgy alone. Often, further refining steps (hydrometallurgical or electrochemical) are required.
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Reference:
Pyrometallurgy: Process, Advantages, Disadvantages. (2023, August 3). https://scienceinfo.com/pyrometallurgy-advantages-disadvantages/
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